Something Old - Dianne L. Christner [136]
“Now Gram,” Jake began, “that’s Katy’s wedding veil.”
“I made this, didn’t I?” Minnie asked, ignoring her grandson and narrowing her eyes with unmistakable mischief.
“Yes, Minnie,” Katy softly gasped. “And I’ll always cherish it.”
Emotion flashed in Minnie’s eyes, and she dropped the ribbon. Her mouth moved almost fishlike. Then she suddenly shook her head in protest, emphatically thrusting her finger against Jake’s suit jacket. “This! This!” she insisted loudly.
Aghast, Katy looked at her groom. Then slowly, understanding dawned. “You want me to cherish your grandson instead? Oh Minnie, I do cherish him.”
Minnie didn’t reply, but she dropped her hand and got a big grin on her face as she dismissed them by marching off toward the cake table.
Katy let out a sigh of relief then grinned up at Jake. “That was a close one. She’s right, you know.”
Jake demonstrated his agreement by sweeping Katy into his arms right next to the willow tree, for all the world to see. He kissed her until there was no doubt left in her mind that he cherished her, too, and that it was time to make a dash for that shiny, black pickup truck.
KATY’S JOURNAL
Cleaning Tips
Cold or hot coffee cleans drainpipes.
Vinegar in front-loader washers kills mildew on seals.
Keep home cleaner by sweeping driveways and entryways.
Use paintbrushes to dust cracks and hard-to-reach places in telephones, stereos, etc.
Shine a stainless steel sink with vinegar or a touch of oil on a cloth to make the sink sparkle
Cleaning my feather duster: Keep dipping and swirling in soapy water and rinsing in clear water until the water stays clear. Then dry with feathers up.
Miscellaneous Tips
Ice cubes sharpen garbage disposal blades.
Chopping onions takes rust off knives.
Outsiders: peel like an onion to see what’s really inside before discarding. Stop judging their actions without understanding their motives. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts” (Proverbs 21:2).
Do not underestimate the elderly. Though their feet move slower, their hands remain lightning fast and their thoughts are as mysterious as the universe.
Kissing trees make wonderful wedding altars.
Stains
Burned food in dishes: fill with water and 2 tablespoons baking soda. Soak. Scrub.
Ring around the collar: shampoo cleans the body oils away.
Gum: first cool and harden, then scrape most off with hard edge, then rub remainder with egg whites.
Tomato stains: run cool water until clear, then blot with white vinegar. Note: Removes the stain but does not remove memory of the incident. I remain in search of that particular cleansing agent, that can renew my mind.
Later entry: It is forgiveness.
Removing Jake’s scent: sprinkled a pinch of baking soda on my white blouse where our shoulders touched. Do not give in to temptation to sleep with untreated blouse under my pillow.
Hand Cream Home Remedies
Recipe One
2 ounces beeswax
1 cup sweet almond oil
1 cup water
Heat, heating water separately, then blend. Cool and store in jar or tin.
Use as hand lotion.
Recipe Two
½ cup olive oil
A few drops of scented lavender drops from dollar store Wear gloves until it soaks into skin
Recipe Three
1 banana
1 teaspoon honey
Juice of one lime
1 tablespoon butter
Mash banana and add to honey, lime juice, and butter. Blend and put in container. Leave on at least two hours with gloves.
Spring-Cleaning Tips
Use a natural sponge. Wash down kitchen backsplashes with vinegar water.
Use dishwasher to clean odds and ends.
Check expiration dates of medicine-cabinet and refrigerator items and make a shopping list for employer.
Check smoke alarms before they go off in the middle of the night and frighten little Addison.
Window blinds: use a white glove and dip in vinegar water